in check

Idioms  

1. Restrained from moving or acting; under control. For example, The first division held the enemy in check, or Mary kept her emotions in check. This term replaced at check and out of check, which date from the mid-1500s.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in check

After surrendering 28 first-half points, JSerra held Bishop Amat, and running back Justin Clinton, who rushed for more than 130 yards, including a 67-yard burst and a 43-yard touchdown, in check in the second half.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2026

That could help keep already high gas prices in check.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026

That should encourage historically low corporate bond credit spreads — a second cost component in the bond market — to stay mostly in check.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 3, 2026

However, energy subsidies which keep electricity prices in check will now be restricted to families "in need".

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

The smell washed over me a moment later, and I had to swallow hard to get my gag reflex in check.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

• discreet
• laid-back
• mild
• muted
• reasonable
• reticent
• subdued
• tasteful
• unobtrusive